Target launcher

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for launching spherical targets into the air including a tubular pneumatic conveyor system having a main trunk portion and branch portions. A transfer mechanism is connected to a remote end of each of the branch portions of the conveyor to receive a target from the conveyor and deposit the targets is a pneumatically actuated launching tube. Targets are thus fed from a source through the conveyor and into the launching tubes to be propelled into the air.

I United States Patent 1 [111 3,724,438

Brandt 1 Apr. 3, 1973 1 TARGET LAUNCHER 2312 355 7/1958 Collins et al"134 11 3,30 l3 2/1967 Mainers [75 1 W991i? FETF'FWPEP 3,089,476 5/1963Wolverton 73 A i Olin Corporation N Haven, 210,976 12/1878 Storm..l24/ll Primary Examiner-Richard c. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-R. T.Stouffer [22] Filed 1971 Attorney-Donald R. Motsko, H. Samuel Kieser and[21] Appl. No.: 116,866 William W. Jones 7 [52] U.S. Cl. ..l24/ll R,124/32, 124/51 A [s 1 ABSTRACT 51 Int. Cl. ..F41r1/o4 Apparatus forlaunching Spherical targets into the air 58 Field of Search ..124/11,50, 51 R, 51 A, 53; including a tubular Pneumatic conveyor System having273/26 D a main trunk portion and branch portions. A transfer mechanismis connected to a remote end of each of [56] Reerences Cited the branchportions of the conveyor to receive a target from the conveyor anddeposit the targets is a pneu- UNITED STATES PATENTS matically actuatedlaunching tube. Targets are thus 1 633 4/1892 Markham 124/50 fed from asource through the conveyor and into the 2238b 4/1941 Penman launchingtubes to be propelled into the air. 2,087,575 7/1937 Littell et al..l24/5l R x 5 mm, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3 7 SHEET 1 [IF 4 ATTORNEYPATENTEUAPR 3 I975 SFEETZUFA Q i W U ii I i J INVENTOR WILLIAM L. BRANDTBY www-g ATTORNEY PATENTEUAPR 3 I975 SHEET 3 0F 4 PATENTEUAPR 3 lm SHEET8 UF 4 ENTOR 1 WILL/AM L. BRANDT ATTORNEY TARGET LAUNCHER This inventionconcerns an apparatus for launching spherical targets into the air to befired upon by a shooter. The launching apparatus includes a plurality oflaunching mechanisms into which targets can be fed from a central sourceby way of a pneumatic conveyor system. The conveyor system selectivelyfeeds a target from the source to only one of the plurality of launchingmechanisms with the result that the shooter does not know exactly fromwhence the target is coming until the target is actually launched. I

The conveyor apparatus includes a central tubular portion or trunkhaving an internal passage into which targets are fed from a sourcethereof. A blower or fan is disposed in communication with the trunkportion of the conveyor, the blower belng activated when a target isplaced in the conveyor. Actuation of the blower causes a fluid pressurerise within the trunk of the conveyor which fluid pressure pushes on thetarget. The conveyor also includes a plurality of branch portions whichextend laterally from the trunk at different locations along the latter.Each branch portion terminates in a transfer mechanism which can receivea target from the conveyor and deposit the target in a launcher tube.The transfer mechanisms are movable between a target-receiving positionand a target-launching position and are normally positioned in thelatter position. When a launch is desired, one of the transfermechanisms is electrically signalled and is thus caused to move to itstarget-receiving position. A fluid bleed port is simultaneously openedin the area of the selected transfer mechanism so as to open theappropriate conveyor branch to the atmosphere thus causing a pressuredrop at the selected transfer mechanism. The target is thus caused tomove through the trunk portion of the conveyor system and then laterallythrough the selected branch portion to the selected transfer mechanismby means of the flow of air from the blower to the opened bleed port.

After the target has entered the selected transfer mechanism, the latteris caused to return to its targetlaunching position to position thetarget in the selected launch tube. The target is then blown out of thelaunch tube by a blast of gas, the target being thus propelled into theair in view of the shooter who fires at the flying target.

It is therefore, an object of this invention to provide an apparatus forlaunching spherical targets into the air by propelling a target througha launch tube with a blast of gas.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an apparatus of thecharacter described which further includes a pneumatic conveyoroperative to move a target from a source thereof to the launch tube.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an apparatus ofthe character described wherein the pneumatic conveyor includes a trunkportion and a number of branch portions extending laterally therefrom,each branch portion being associated with a separate launch tube wherebya target may be launched from any one of a number of differentlocations.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an apparatus ofthe character described which further includes a transfer mechanismassociated with each launch tube adjacent an end of each branch of theconveyor to receive a target from the conveyor and transfer the targetinto the launch tube.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a representative portion of the apparatus ofthis invention showing a preferred embodiment of the trunk and branchportions of the conveyor, and a pair of associated transfer mechanismsand launch tubes;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from the lefthand side of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the target feeding mechanism shown inconjunction with related components in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 but showing operation ofthe target feeding mechanism transferring a target from the source intothe conveyor tube;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the transfer mechanism as It appears in thenormal target-launching position;

FIG. 7 is a plan view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the transfermechanism in its target-receiving position;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotOr portion of the target transfermechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing electrical circuitry which may beused with the apparatus of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus of this invention includesa tubular conveyor system indicated generally by the numeral 2, throughwhich spherical targets are carried from a source thereof, such as aramp 4, to be target transfering mechanism, indicated generally by thenumeral 6. The conveyor 2 includes a central or trunk portion 8 in theform of a hollow tubular passage. The lower end 10 of the trunk portion8 opens into a blower or fan 12 which is selectively actuated to blow ajet of air into the trunk 8 to increase the air pressure therein. Theconveyor 2 also includes a plurality of branch portions 14 and 16 whichare in the form of hollow, tubular passages which extend laterally fromthe trunk portion 8 and open thereinto. It is noted that the branches 14and 16 open into the trunk 8 at points longitudinally offset on thetrunk 8, and the axis of each branch 14 and 16 is preferablyperpendicular to the axis of the trunk 8. Each target transfer mechanism6 is mounted on a supporting plate 18 which is vertically inclined, asis shown most clearly in FIG. 2. The plates 18 may be carried by aplurality of posts or the like 20. It is also noted that the ramp 4 isalso inclined vertically so that targets will roll down toward theconveyor trunk 8, although other means, such as conveyor belts or thelike can alSo be used for this latter purpose.

Each target transfer mechanism 6 includes an annular wall part 22through which the branch portions 14 and 16 of the conveyor 2 extend. Apair of diametrically opposed target launching tubes 24 and 26 open intothe wall part 22 at points preferably about offset from the branchportion 14 or 16 of the conveyor. Each of the launcher tubes 24 isconnected to a flexible tubular coupling 28 which in turn is connectedto a tube 30 depending from a tank 32 containing a supply of compressedgas, such as compressed air. A valve housing 34 containing asolenoid-actuated valve 39 (shown schematically in FIG. 9) is interposedbetween each tube 30 and the tank 32, the valves 39 in the housings 34being normally closed to prevent the compressed gas from flowing throughthe tubes 30.

It is understood that, while two branch portions 14 and 16 areillustrated with associated transfer mechanisms 6, the apparatus mayemploy any number of branches, and the top end of the trunk portion 8 issealed from the atmosphere.

A target-feeding mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral 36 ismounted adjacent to the ramp 4 and is selectively operable to feedindividual targets from the ramp 4 into the trunk portion 8 of theconveyor 2. Details of the target-feeding mechanism 36 are most clearlyshown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The mechanism 36 is shown in FIG. 3 in itstarget-pickup position. The mechanism 36 includes a first cylindricalportion 38 which has a diameter of the trunk 8, and which is normallycoincidental with the trunk 8 to form a part thereof, as is shown inFIG. 3.

The mechanism 36 further includes a semi-cylindrical portion 40 which isadjacent to, and preferably integral with the cylindrical part 38. Thesemi-cylindrical part 40 normally traverses the ramp 4 so as topartially surround a forwardmost target T (shown in phantom in FIG. 3)positioned on the ramp 4. A planar terminal part 42 extends from thesemi-cylindrical part 40 and is normally off to one side of the ramp 4,as shown in FIG. 3. An operating rod 44 is connected to the feedingmechanism 36 and passes through a stationary plate 46. A solenoid 48 isconnected to the rod 44 and is operative, when actuated by manuallyclosing a switch 49 (see FIG. 9), to pull the rod 44 and feedingmechanism 36 to the right, as shown in FIG. so as to pull the target Toff of the ramp 4 and into the trunk portion 8 of the conveyor 2. Whenthe feeding mechanism 36 is in its target-feeding position, as shown inFIG. 5, the terminal part 42 of the mechanism 36 prevents the nexttarget T" from rolling down the ramp 4 until the mechanism 36 returns toits original position. A spring 50 surrounds the rod 44 and issandwiched between the mechanism part 38 and the plate 46, with thespring 50 being compressed when the feeding mechanism 36 is moved to thetarget-feeding position. Actuation of the solenoid 48 is of momentaryduration since the switch 49 is normally open, so that the spring 50returns the mechanism .36 to its pickup position after the target T isdropped into the conveyor trunk 8. When the mechanism 36 returns to itspickup position, the next target T" moves into the confines of thesemi-cylindrical part 48 of the mechanism 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the details of the transfer mechanism6 are shown. As previously noted, the transfer mechanism includes anannular or cylindrical wall part 22 upon which is mounted an elongatedplate 52 having an upwardly extending end wall 54. A cylinder 56 ispivotally mounted on the plate 52 by means of a pin 58 extending intothe end wall 54. A piston 60 is reciprocally mounted in the cylinder 56,the piston 60 having a head portion (not shown) contained within thecylinder 56, and a stem portion 62 extending from the cylinder 56. Arotor assembly 64 is mounted within the confines of the wall part 22,the

rotor assembly 64 including a rotor block 66 and a rotor tube 68 whichextends through the rotor block 66. The rotor tube 68 has a bore whichis substantially the same size as the conveyor tube bores. The rotorassembly 64 is pivotally mounted on a pin 70 which extends through theplate 52. The forward end of the piston rod 62 is pivotally connected toa pin 72 secured to the rotor block 66 so that reciprocal movement ofthe piston 60 results in rotary movement of the rotor assembly 64. Therotor assembly 64 is normally positioned in a target-launching positionwhich is shown in FIG. 6. In the target launching position the rotortube 68 is coaxial with the launcher tubes 24 and 26, and a nose piece74 mounted on the rotor block 66 closes off to a first tube 82communicating with one end of the cylinder 56, and to a second tube 84communicating with the other end of the cylinder 56.

In order to pivot the transfer mechanism 64 about the pin 70 and into atarget-receiving position'shown in FIG. 7, an appropriate switch 81 isclosed (see FIG. 9) whereby the pump is caused to pump fluid through thetube 84 causing the piston 60 to retract into the cylinder 56. In thetarget-receiving position, the holes 76 and 78 are aligned, and the tube68 is coaxial with the branch tube 14.

The apparatus of this invention operates in the following manner tolaunch a target into the air. The solenoid 48 is actuated to cause thetarget feeder 36 to pull a target T from the ramp 4 into the'trunkportion 8 of the conveyor system 2. The target T drops onto a sensor inthe form of an electrical blade switch 90, closing the latter. Closingof the switch causes the blower 12 to blow a stream of air into theconveyor 2. The electrical switch 81 is then manually actuated to causea preselected one of the pumps 80 to pump fluid through the tube 84 tocause the associated transfer mechanism 64 to pivot to itstarget-receiving position, wherein the holes 76 and 78 are aligned.Alignment of the holes 76 and 78 provides an outlet to the atmospherefor the air being blown into the conveyor 2 by the blower 12 thuscreating a pressure differential within the conveyor '2, and a flow ofair from the blower 12 (high pressure) to the aligned holes 76 and 78(low pressure). The Target T is thus carried by the air flow through thetrunk portion 8 of the conveyor 2 and into the appropriate branchportion 14 toward the aligned holes '76 and 78. As the target T passesthrough the branch tube 14 and approaches the target transfer tube 68,the target T actuates an electrical sensor in the form of a blade switch92 which closes and sends a delayed electrical impulse to the pump 80.The target T' then passes into the transfer tube 68 and movestherethrough to strike a resilient pad 94 of foam rubber, or the like,positioned in a cup-shaped housing 96 mounted on the annular wall 22.The delayed signal from the sensor 92 then causes the pump 80 to pumpfluid through the tube 82 to cause the piston 60 to pivot the transfermechanism 64 back to its target-launching position. In this manner thetarget T is brought into alignment with the launch tube 24 and movesunder the force of gravity into the latter and against an electricalsensor in the form of a blade switch 98 to close the latter. Closing ofthe blade switch 98 permits an electrical impulse to be sent to anappropriate one of the solenoid-actuated valves contained in theappropriate one of the valve housings 34 to open the valve 39 when alaunch switch 41 (which is normally open) is closed (see FIG. 9).Opening of the valve 39- in the housing 34 causes a jet of compressedgas to flow from the tank 32 through the conduits 30, 28, 24 and againstthe target T'. The target T is thus blown from the tube 24 and throughthe tubes 68 and 26 and into the air in view of a shooter who fires onthe target. The velocity at which the target is launched can be variedby actuating a solenoid operated bleed valve 35 on the tank 32 to lowerthe pressure inside of the tank 32 before the valve 39 in the housing 34is actuated. The bleed valve 35 can be opened by manually closing aswitch 43 (see FIG. 9).

It will be readily appreciated that the apParatus disclosed herein willhandle relatively frangible targets and will provide for thetransmission of a target to be fired upon from a central supply oftargets to a selected one of any number of launch sites. Preselection ofa desired launcher is made possible and the target can be transportedonly to the preselected launcher. Operation of the apparatus issemi-automatic after a launcher is selected and a target is deposited inthe conveyor. The apparatus is of comparatively simple construction withfew moving parts, and is readily adaptable to use indoors as well asoutdoors.

Since many changes and variations of the disclosed embodiment of theinvention may be made without departing from the inventive concept, itis not intended to limit the invention otherwise than as required by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for launching spherical objects into the air, saidapparatus comprising:

a. tubular conveyor means for transporting a spherical object, saidconveyor means having a plurality of terminal points;

b. means communicating with said conveyor means for creating a positivefluid pressure condition within said conveyor means;

c. a plurality of tubular launching means, there being one of saidlaunching means adjacent each terminal point of said conveyor means;

. lateral venting means associated with each of said launching means forventing the interior thereof to the atmosphere;

e. means connected to each of said launching means for selectivelyopening at least a portion of the interior thereof to the respectiveterminal points of said conveyor means to permit a spherical object topass from said conveyor means into said launching means; and

f. means for opening said venting means on a preselected launching meansto the atmosphere, said venting means being open to the atmosphere atthat time only when the interior of said preselected launching means isopened to the respective terminal of said conveyor means to establish afluid flow path through said conveyor means to said preselectedlaunching means to transport a spherical object by fluid flow throughsaid conveyor means to said preselected launching means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising feeding means forfeeding a spherical object into a first part of the interior of saidconveyor means.

3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said positive fluid pressurecreating means is a blower, and further including a blower-actuatingmeans for actuating said blower only when a spherical object ispositioned within said conveyor means in contact with saidblower-actuating means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said conveyor means includes atubular trunk portion opening into tubular branch portions extending toeach of said terminal points, said branch portions intersecting saidtrunk portion at points longitudinally offset along the axis of saidtrunk portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the axis of each of said branchportions is substantially perpendicular to the axis of said trunkportion at the point of intersection.

1. Apparatus for launching spherical objects into the air, saidapparatus comprising: a. tubular conveyor means for transporting aspherical object, said conveyor means having a plurality of terminalpoints; b. means communicating with said conveyor means for creating apositive fluid pressure condition within said conveyor means; c. aplurality of tubular launching means, there being one of said launchingmeans adjacent each terminal point of said conveyor means; d. lateralventing means associated with each of said launching means for ventingthe interior thereof to the atmosphere; e. means connected to each ofsaid launching means for selectively opening at least a portion of theinterior thereof to the respective terminal points of said conveyormeans to permit a spherical object to pass from said conveyor means intosaid launching means; and f. means for opening said venting means on apreselected launching means to the atmosphere, said venting means beingopen to the atmosphere at that time only when the interior of saidpreselected launching means is opened to the respective terminal of saidconveyor means to establish a fluid flow path through said conveyormeans to said preselected launching means to transport a sphericalobject by fluid flow through said conveyor means to said preselectedlaunching means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising feedingmeans for feeding a spherical object into a first part of the interiorof said conveyor means.
 3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein saidpositive fluid pressure creating means is a blower, and furtherincluding a blower-actuating means for actuating said blower only when aspherical object is positioned within said conveyor means in contactwith said blower-actuating means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid conveyor means includes a tubular trunk portion opening intotubular branch portions extending to each of said terminal points, saidbranch portions intersecting said trunk portion at points longitudinallyoffset along the axis of said trunk portion.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the axis of each of said branch portions is substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of said trunk portion at the point ofintersection.